THE body shaming debate has been ignited once again.
Victoria Beckham's latest catwalk show in New York has pushed the issue of 'skinny' models back into the headlines.
The fashion designer has been blasted for using models that looked 'emaciated' and 'like skin and bones' as they took to the runway last week.
With bare shoulders, jutting ribs and exposed midriffs, there wasn't an ounce of fat to be seen.
Their long hair, bleached eyebrows and dull expressions also contributed to the illusion of skinniness and, in fact, illness.
With models such as Dutch teenager Jessie Bloemendaal, who at 5ft 11 and with a waist of 24 inches - similar to the size of an eight-year-old girl - is it any wonder that there was criticism?
Victoria's choice of catwalk models and her promotion of the 'skinny' look to her 12.3 million followers on Instagram sent social media into meltdown.
One annoyed fan said: "It would be so refreshing to see @victoriabeckham employ more natural sized models. All I see is skin and bones, not the clothes".
Another asked: "When will fashion learn beauty is not about starving yourself, it's about clothing".
While another Intagram follower wrote: "All I see is skin and bones, not the clothes".
Just six years ago Victoria pledged to follow the 'Beauty Is Health' campaign, which was created by the Council Of Fashion Designers Of America, to ban extremely thin models from her shows.
But last year she pushed skinny models onto the catwalk and now she has done it once again.
The former pop singer has been quick to defend herself from the recent criticism and has insisted her casting director liaised with modelling agencies to ensure the models were healthy before the show.
And the 'skinny' girls have hit back too.
Many have taken to social media themselves to document their food diaries, posting endless pictures of the food they claim to eat - from healthy meals to treats such as beer.
Just last year, MPs in France demanded all models had a doctor’s certificate saying they were healthy.
The new rules also stated that magazines that use photoshop to change a model’s shape must label their photos as 'touched up'.
Fashion bosses and models face six month prison sentences or fines of up to £50,000 for using underweight girls in advertising or on the catwalk.
There are also more plus-size models than ever before with designers such as Dolce & Gabbana and high street store like Marks and Spencer turning their backs on the 'skinny' look.
But it is hard to believe that our society is at a point where we need legislation to stop businesses and fashion designers from promoting the skinny look.
And it appears that the lead taken by politicians in France has not continued elsewhere. And catwalk shows such as Beckham's do nothing to further the cause.
Have we not all realised how dangerous it is to keep putting skeletal-looking girls out onto the catwalk?
I'm not saying anything that hasn't been said before, but when will some people realise the impact of using skinny models?
Industry standards are wholly unrealistic, the pressures women are placed under to look a certain way or to stay slim, for example, are grossly unfair and vastly unattainable.
The truth is, most designers won't change their way - they will continue to send extremely thin girls out onto the catwalk.
They don't care that doing so creates a distorted body image which young women try to imitate.
Young women look at thin models and see themselves as fat in comparison.
Society should put more emphasis on better eating and health to increase awareness about the impact of poor nutrition and dieting on young women.
And to all those fashion designers who say they are fed up with us talking about 'skinny' models, there’s a very simple solution to the problem.
To end the 'skinny model debate' and get us all talking about fashion, all you have to do is stop giving us skinny models to talk about.
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Competition
Multi award-winning make-up artist and entrepreneur Paddy McGurgan has just won a lucrative contract to be the sole Irish stockist of the LA based make-up collection Lime Crime.
The critically acclaimed, world champion makeup artist is, in fact, the first stockist in the world to launch the product’s lip collection, which is adored by many A-List celebrities.
This makeup is now available in Paddy McGurgan's make-up pro-stores in Belfast, Derry and Newry.
Lime Crime, which was created in 2008 by style icon Doe Deere and its entire lip collection and Venus eye collection, has a mass cult following from all over the globe.
I have three Lime Crime goodie bags worth £55 each to give away, to be in with a chance to win, simply email your name, address and telephone number - along with the answer to the question below - to competitions@irishnews.com
Closing date for entries is Tuesday September 20 at noon.
(Q) Who is the sole Irish stockist of Lime Crime make-up in Ireland?
Normal Irish News Rules Apply
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What's Hot!
East Belfast market - Ballyhackamore's Artisan Market is back tomorrow with mouth-watering autumnal treats, children's face-painting and lots of new stallholders. The monthly market takes place at St Colmcille's church car park with stalls packed full of locally sourced food and beautiful handcrafted goods including jewellery, textiles and candles.
Chocolate Festival - Outstanding chefs from Northern Ireland and further afield are joining up with the Hans Sloane Chocolate and Fine Food Festival to offers a foodie experience not to be missed. Finnebrogue consultant development chef Chris Burt will lead the charge with an innovative line-up of chocolate and locally-focused food activities during the event on September 24 and 25.
What's Not!
Bake Off - Mel and Sue are to step down as hosts of Bake Off when the BBC show is sold to Channel 4 for £25 million telling fans: 'We aren't following the dough'. They said they had been 'shocked and saddened' to learn GBBO would move.
Breakdown - Sharon Osbourne has revealed she ended up in hospital following a 'breakdown' which left her unable to talk or eat. The X Factor judge said she had decided to talk about her ordeal because she now has a 'good grip' on her condition and is 'in control'.
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Competition winner
The winners of last week's After Isabella book competition are Mairead Reford from Belfast, Anna Sloan from Co Antrim and Maire Rafferty from Carrickmore.
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Easy Peasy Recipe
This week's Easy Peasy Recipe is Brazilian style chicken salad, courtesy of Marks and Spencer.
You will need:
2 tsp olive oil
2 tsp smoked paprika
2 medium potatoes (about 700g)
1 green apple
1.5 limes
400g cooked chicken
50g raisins
4 tbsp mayonnaise
25g coriander
4 white seeded rolls
To make:
Peel and cut potatoes into thin strips.
Shred the cooked chicken and finely chop the coriander.
Heat the oven to 220 C / 200 C fan / gas 7.
Mix the oil with 1 tsp of smoked paprika, season with salt and pepper, then toss with the chips.
Spread out on a large baking sheet and cook for 30 minutes. Allow to cool slightly.
Quarter, core and slice the apple into thin wedges and put in a large bowl.
Squeeze the juice of ½ a lime, then add the chicken and raisins.
In another bowl, mix the mayonnaise with the zest and juice of one lime, 1tsp smoked paprika and coriander.
Stir 3 tsp of the dressing into the chicken salad, add the cooked fries, gently toss if desired.
Serve on a platter with rolls and the remaining dressing on the side.
Do you have an Easy Peasy recipe you would like to share?
Are you the queen of quiches, magnificent at muffins or can you turn out some nice scones?
If so, then we want to hear from you.
You can send your name, address, contact number and recipe (plus photo if possible) to:
Easy Peasy Recipes,
Suzanne McGonagle,
Irish News
113-117 Donegall Street,
Belfast,
BT1 2GE
or
s.mcgonagle@irishnews.com
